Bengals sign center T.J. Johnson, a restricted free agent

CINCINNATI (AP) The Bengals signed third-year center T.J. Johnson on Monday, keeping their only restricted free agent under contract.

Johnson was a seventh-round pick from South Carolina in 2013. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad, played in four games in 2014, and got into 12 games last season along with the first-round playoff loss to Pittsburgh.

He's the second potential free agent signed by the Bengals. Receiver Brandon Tate signed a deal on Friday rather than become an unrestricted free agent. The Bengals have 13 other players eligible to become unrestricted free agents this week, including starting cornerbacks Adam ''Pacman'' Jones and Leon Hall and safeties George Iloka and Reggie Nelson.